Bracelet or like article of jewelry



Nov. 13 1923.

A. L. NEWMAN BRACELET OR LIKE ARTICLE OF JEWELRY Filed March 8, 1.922

Patented Nov. 13, 123.

iavavat ALMYR L. NEWMAN, OF VIARWICK, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO A. L.NEWMAN 8:; COMPANY, OF CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, A PARTNERSHIP CONSISTINGOF ALIVIYR L. NEWMAN, AUGUSTUS I. NEWMAN, ANDREW O. BURGESS, AND HENRYZIRUTH.

Application filed March a, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALMYR L. NEWMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Warwick, in the county of Kent, State of Rhode Island, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Bracelets or likeArticles of Jewelry, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to articles of jewelry and particularly toimprovements in flexible bracelets of the so-called boxlink type.

One object of the improvement is to provide an article of the typespecified which may be constructed of relatively light stock while beingstrong anddurable in use.

Another object of the improvement is to render the device simple inconstruction and economical to manufacture.

Another object of the improvement is to provide a device comprising aminimum number of parts which may conveniently be constructed fromsheet-metal stampings.

Another object of the improvement is to provide a bracelet of neater andmore ornamental appearance and susceptible of being embellished invarious ways as by setting it with jewels.

Other objects of the improvement are set forth in the followingspecification which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention asillustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a completed bracelet embodying one formof the invention;

Fig. 2, a greatly enlarged perspective view of one of the link-membersof the bracelet;

Fig. '3, an enlarged view of one of the connecting-hooks orhinge-elements for the links of the bracelet;

Fig. 4:, an enlarged crosssectional view of one of the link-members;

Fig. 5, an enlarged inverted plan view of a plurality of the linkmembersshowing them partly in section to illustrate the manner in which theyare joined together by their connecting-hooks or hingeelements;

Fig. 6, a perspective view of one of the link-members in its completedstate, show- I BRACELET 0R LIKE ARTICLE OF JEJVELRY.

Serial No. 542,114.

ing the hook or hinge-element applied thereto;

Fig. 7, a perspective view of the bottom closure or finishing elementfor the linkmember; and

Fig. 8, a transverse sectional view of one of the finished link-members,showing it set with a jewel and its finishing closure applied to itsopen side.

As before stated, the present improve ment is directed to a bracelet orother article of ewelry comprising a series of box-like link-memberswhich are hinged or connected together to form a flexible chain. Thehnk-members 2 are preferably struck up from sheet-metal in hollow,box-like form and may be of rectangular shape as shown in Fig. 2.Usually the sides of the box or member 2 are slightly tapered so thatwhen the links are assembled in alinement, as shown in Fig. 1, they formthe partial segments of a circle, thus fitting closely together topresent a smooth, unbroken surface on the exposed sides of the bracelet.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4:, one side 3 of the linkor box-member 2 ispierced or cut through with two openings or holes 4:, while the oppositeside 5 is formed with a transverse slot 6, see also Fig. 5. Inwardlyfrom the ends of the slot 6 the side 5 is slitted upwardly as shown inFig. 2, and the intervening strip of metal is bent back in a tab or flap7 for a purposeas later explained.

The connectingor hinge-element for the link-members 2 of the braceletconsists in a substantially U-shaped yoke 10, shown in detail in Fig. 3,and comprising a cross-bar 11 with two spaced-apart legs 12. The legs 12project at right-angles to the crossbar 11 and are spaced inwardly aslight distance from the ends thereof to provide two opposite abutmentsor lugs 15. The ends of the legs 12 are formed with hooks 16 havingrounded extremities.

In assembling the link-members 2 to form the bracelet the hinge-elements10 are inserted within their cavities and the legs 12 projected throughthe openings 1, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6.- The projecting hook-ends 16of the legs 12 are next inserted through the slot 6 in the next adjacentlink-member 2 to be connected, and the strip or flap 7 is then bent backinto place between the ends of the legs as shown in Fig. 5. That is tosay, the flap 7 is forced back into alignment with the side 5 of themember 2 and is thus wedged between the rounded extremities of the legs12, thereby tending to force the hinged r'elation, and so 011 with asmanyv links as required to complete the bracelet. Usually the chain orstring of links has its free ends provided with suitable clasp-membersby means of which it-may be clasped around the wrist of the wearer. Anyconventional clasping-means may be employed for this purpose, but assuch devices are well known to those versed in the art this part of thebracelet is not herein shown or described. The structure of thelink-members and the method of hinging or linking them together as abovedescribed constitutes theessential feature of the present invention andprovides a complete article, suitable for use as a bracelet of varioussorts, and as a chain, necklace, or other article of jewelry.

As a further feature of the invention I have provided a method offinishing and embellishing the links of the chain or bracelet as nextexplained: With the form of construction first described the undersideof the links 2 is left open with the connectingor hinge-elements 10exposed to view. It is desirable therefore to provide a bottom orclosure for the underside of the links so that they may present a morefinished appearance, and this may be accomplished in any suitable manneras now explained.

In most cases bracelets of the present type are set with precious orsemi-precious stones or gems which are let into the outer or ex- -posedsides of the link-members 2. This is done by simply piercing the wallsof the link-members and turning up prongs or burrs for holding thestones 20 in place in the seats thereby provided, see Fig. 8. To finishthe rearward or underside of the linkmember, I prefer to provide aclosure 18 of pyramidal form as shown in Fig. 7. This may be constructedfrom extremely thin sheet-metal stamped out to the required form to fitwithin the sides of the linkmember 2, as shown in Figs. .6 and 8. On therim of the closure-member 18 are formed two cars or tabs 19 which may besprung outwardly to frietionally engage the sides ofthe link-member. Inmost cases the tabs 19 are forced down between the legs 12 of thehinge-elements 10 to hold the closure in place in the link-members or,if required, the tabs may be soldered to the sides of the members 2.

vThe beveled sides of the closure-member 18 are intended to simulate thefacets on the underside of the jewels orstones 20 set in the face of thelink-members 2. The sides of the closure being highly polished serve asa foil for the stones, besides providing a more finished appearance forthe back of the bracelet, see Fig, 1.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the presentimprovement provides a particularly simple and neat construction for themechanical elements of the bracelet, besides presenting an artistic andhighly ornamental appearance. in the completed article. Moreover, myimproved construction makes for more economical manufacture byeliminating soldering [and other hand operations, thus providing a highgrade article at a relatively low cost.

Various modifications may be made in the form and structure of the partsof the device without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention; therefore, without limiting myself to the exact embodimentherein shown and described, I claim:

1. An article of jewelry comprising a series of box-like link-membershaving openings in their sides, connecting-elements having parallel legsextending through the openings in adjacent link-members and providedwith means at their ends for engaging the edges of the openings, andmeans on the link-members adapted to be inserted between the legs on theconnecting members to hold the latter in locking engagement with theedges of the openings in the linkmembers.

2. In a bracelet or like article of jewelry, the combination of aplurality of box-like link-members having openings in their sides,

hinge-elements having opposite legs formed with hooked extremitiesextending through the openings in adjacent link-members, and meansadapted to be wedged betweenthe legs of the hinge-elements to causetheir hooked portions to be engaged with the edges ofv the openings toconnect thelink members in a flexible chain. v

3. In an article of he type specified, the combination of a plurality ofbox-like linkmembers provided with openings pierced through their sides,yoke-like hinge-elements having hooked legs projecting from the openingsof one member through the openings of an adjacent member, and means oneach link-member adapted to be engaged with the hinge-element to spreadits legs to lock the hooks in the openings. 1 V

4:. In an article of the type specified, the combination of a pluralityof box-like linkmembers having openings in their sides and flap-likestrips adjacent thereto, and yokelike hinge-elements provided Withhooked legs projecting through the openings, the

flaps being adapted to be bent into place between the legs of thehinge-elements to hold them in looking engagement With the edges of theopenings.

5. In an article of the type specified, the combination of a pluralityof box-like linkmembers each provided with openings in one of its sidesand a slot in its opposite side having slits extending therefrom toprovide a flap, and U-shaped hinge elements having hooked legsprojecting through the openings in one member and engaged With the endsof the slot in an adjacent member, the flap on said last-named memberbeing bent back between the legs of the hingeelement to hold its hooksin looking engage- 2o ment With the edges of the slot.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALMYR L. NEWMAN.

